Just like any other industry, trucking has its own jargon. Do you know these acronyms and terms related to trucking? RFP (request for proposal); BOL (bill of lading); COE (cab over engine); PAD (pickup and delivery); EOBR (electronic onboard recorder); RGN (removable gooseneck trailer); HOS (hours of service); GVW (gross vehicle weight); LTL (less-than-truckload); LCV (long combination vehicle); MRO (medical review officer); O/O ( owner-operator); PM (preventive maintenance); TL (truckload); TOFC (trailer on flat car); ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel); 3PL (third-party logistics company); DPF (diesel particulate filter); GAWR (gross axle weight rating); GCW (gross combination weight); IFTA (international fuel tax agreement); CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance); and VMRS (vehicle maintenance reporting standards).
We also have words and terms in trucking that may have other meanings or are invented words used to address industry concerns. Some of these are:
Bogie (also Bogy)—the assembly of two or more axles on a tractor or trailer; also the center point between two tandem axles. To determine a truck’s wheelbase, measure from the bogy between the tandems to the center point on the front axle.
Deadheading—operating a truck without cargo to a new location to load
Driver retainment—the process required to keep a trucker employed by a carrier
Gladhand—a connector containing rubber or silicone gaskets used to attach airlines on a tractor to the ones on the trailer
Gross out—loading a trailer that reaches its GVW before the internal volume is filled
Hazmat—hazardous materials requiring specific handling and placarding in order to transport
Linehaul—linehaul (LH) revenue paid to a trucker for regular transportation from a point of origin to a final point of destination; excludes pickup and delivery service, fuel surcharges or extras like liftgate, inside delivery, etc.
Lowboy—flatbed trailer with a deck height very low to the ground; oversize and weight loads
Peddle run—truck route with frequent pickup and delivery stops, typically a garbage truck or package delivery service
Piggyback—semi-trailer with reinforced frame and sides to withstand transport by a railroad flat car
Pigtail—a cable used to transmit electrical power from the tractor to the trailer
Reefer —refrigerated trailer
Slack adjuster—adjustable device on the brake chamber pushrod used in maintaining air brake adjustment
Tandems—pair of axles and suspension located close together
Tare weight—the empty or unladen weight of a truck and trailer
Tridems—group of three axles on a truck, tractor or trailer; used to distribute GVW over more tire area
Trip leasing—leasing a company’s vehicle to another transportation provider for a single trip
Yard jockey —trucker who operates a yard mule
Yard mule—semi-tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse or distribution center
So, how did you do? Understanding the industry language is very important when communicating with others in trucking. It keeps everyone in the same lane.
Contact Tim Brady at 731-749-8567 or at www.timothybrady.com
About the Author
Timothy Brady
Timothy Brady is an author, columnist, speaker, and business coach who provides information, training, and educational presentations for small to large trucking companies, logistics organizations, and community groups. After 25 years in trucking, Brady held positions from company driver to owner-operator to small trucking business owner.